AAA: Calls for service more than double because of cold weather

The bone-chilling cold that descended on the region also caused a wave of car problems.

Towson, Md.-based AAA Mid-Atlantic reported Wednesday that calls for assistance reached unprecedented levels on Tuesday, when the deep freeze was at its worst.

For the entire region, which includes, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia, AAA Mid-Atlantic dispatched more than 10,000 service calls on Tuesday, more than double the number a week ago.

The auto club said calls for service continued to come at a strong clip on Wednesday.

The most common call was for a dead battery, followed by requests for tow service and for flat tires.

AAA said that car batteries lose 60 percent of their strength when the thermometer drops to zero.

Copyright 2014 WFMZ. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.